Laundrey Bench top

[Jarrah]

I'm building a pine panel work benchtop for the laundrey...

I would appreciate recommendations from anyone in the know as to a hard wearing fully waterproof clear finish that is easy to clean.

I am thinking something epoxy based may be the go but am open to suggestions on experience.

Thanks in advance.

[journeyman Mick]

Jarrah,
a 2 pack marine polyurethane over either wattyl epoxy timber preserver or Epiglass Everdure will give you the hardest, most water resistant finish but it will be an absolute bastard to sand back when you eventually need to redo it. As the pine is soft it will tend to get dents and dings in it and this will result in some cracks in the finish. Over time water will get in and you'll get horrible black stains underneath. :mad: This is the worst case scenario, and if you're ultra careful you should get years out of it before it needs refinishing. A harder (and darker) timber will minimise a lot of these problems.

Mick

[Jarrah]

Thanks Mick,

Good advice I'm sure. SWMBO wanted pine but I'll talk her into a harder wood. I have plenty of old Jarrah toungue and groove floor boards but was hoping to use them on something a little more special than the laundrey .

Cheers

[Jarrah]

Jarrah,
a 2 pack marine polyurethane over either wattyl epoxy timber preserver or Epiglass Everdure will give you the hardest, most water resistant finish but it will be an absolute bastard to sand back when you eventually need to redo it. As the pine is soft it will tend to get dents and dings in it and this will result in some cracks in the finish. Over time water will get in and you'll get horrible black stains underneath. :mad: This is the worst case scenario, and if you're ultra careful you should get years out of it before it needs refinishing. A harder (and darker) timber will minimise a lot of these problems.

Mick

Mick,

I have taken your advice on board and am now intending to use TAS OAK. Does your advice re the finish apply equally to this timber and how much will said finish effect the colour of the timber. I wish to keep the colour as light as possible.

Many Thanks

[journeyman Mick]

Jarrah,
same advice applies re the finishing. It shouldn't make it much darker at all. If you wet the timber with a bit of spit ( :eek: yecch, I know, but that's how it's usually done, water will probably work ok too) it will show you what it will look like with a clear finish. The finish I've reccomended will probably give it a slightly yellow cast, but not as much as polyurethane.

Mick

[barnsey]

Jarrah,

Funny how different things happen. SWMBO this end wanted dark benches - wound up with recyled jarrah from the Freo wharves

Mick has hit it on the head though - mine was finished with a spray on poly - was very durable. I'm not a great lover of marine grade finishes in non marine grade applications but Mick has lots of experience in that area so I will defer to his recommendation on that one. In the end Tas Oak is normally very stable so at least you are starting in a much better situation than with the pine

Jamie

[Jarrah]

Thanks Mick,

I had allready done the spit trick and was happy. I was just wanting to know if the recomended finishes added colour. If, as you say, a slight yellow cast will result. This will be quite acceptable.

Thanks again for the advice.

[TassieKiwi]

I used about 5 coats of 'Briwax' brand danish oil on my NZ rimu kitchen bench tops, applied with a rag. Took all we could throw at them over 2 yrs, and easily repairable if you do happen to gouge it - whack some more on! T